Some slick politicians in Washington would like to have you believe that in the wake of the third quarter’s economic growth numbers released early this month, the recession is over and a strong economy is right around the corner. If we continue on the current course, however, this will not be the case.

Economic growth numbers have been propped up by a first-time home buyer tax credit, the “cash for clunkers” program and loose credit, all of which have expired or soon will. Couple those factors with a government-run health care scheme, as well as a possible cap-and-trade regime that is set to raise taxes on business and usher in a sharp decline heralded by the current 10.2% unemployment numbers.

But this does not need to be the case. There are market-based solutions that can save the economy and return us to prosperity.

First, Washington must stop meddling in private companies, passing trillion-dollar “stimulus” packages, bailing out ailing industries, such as the automakers, and passing new burdensome financial regulation. These programs have prevented recovery and stunted economic growth.

Cap-and-trade would be an economic growth killer. Instead of reducing global emissions, it would increase emissions by inducing industry to move to China and other Asian countries, where there are fewer environmental and workplace safety regulations.

Most Americans agree that health care reform is also an important part of economic recovery, but disagree about the role government should play in it. Instead of introducing a so-called “public option”/government-run plan, politicians should be considering solutions that focus on lowering costs – not creating new government agencies. These reforms include tort reform and allowing the sale of health insurance across state lines. Through reforms like this, costs would decline for both the consumer and the government, and subsequently health care would become more accessible and affordable.

While recovery in the near future is a distinct possibility, it will not be through government corrections. As long as Washington continues to tax and spend, create new big government programs and attempt to enact burdensome environmental regulation, American industry will remain repressed in its recovery efforts.

Write to tkorson@afphq.org with your comments.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1337279116&play=1

Last night in Portland, Oregon we had hundreds upon hundreds of grassroots activists in a downtown park protesting Al Gore's (without a doubt the largest emitter of hot air in the nation) pro-cap-and-trade speech.  CLICK HERE for pictures of the event.

Hot Air Tour Rally in Portland

But, the reason for I write this post right now is to ask you to take action BEFORE the first significant health care takeover vote occurs this Saturday in the United States Senate. 

Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that he will hold the first vote - to begin debate on the health care takeover - this weekend, and we need you to call or email your Senators today and tell them to vote NO.  CLICK HERE to call your Senator today. Let me know if you made a call by emailing me at timphillips@afp-mail.com

How ironic that Reid and Obama are scheduling their first Senate floor votes just before Thanksgiving, because their bill is the biggest legislative turkey I've ever seen. 

Here are some of the low points for you to share with your Senators and with your friends and family:

* 2,074 pages long.  There's no way these Senators can read this bill if they vote on it in the next few days and weeks.

* Cost is $2.5 trillion over first decade of full implementation - over time the deficit will go through the roof with this legislation. 

* Taxes will go up an astonishing $493.6 billion with this health care takeover.  Businesses that do not provide government-approved health care for their workers will get hit with $28 billion in new taxes, killing jobs and eroding take-home pay for American workers.  Millions of Americans will see taxes go up on their health insurance plans if the government deems them too expensive (over $8,500 per individual or $23,000 per family).

* The "government option" is in the bill, meaning we'll have government-run health insurance that over time will kill our private health insurance - a stated goal of many on the Left.

There's so much more, and you can click here for even more details.  But you get the picture. 

In the next few weeks before Thanksgiving, the decisive votes will occur in the Senate beginning with this Saturday.  It's going to be a tough fight and we've got to send these Senators a strong message now.  Take a moment and do two things:

1. Click here to call your Senators now and let us know you're taking this crucial action by email me at timphillips@afp-mail.com.

2.  Send this information to your family and friends list now, and ask them to take the same action you're taking by clicking here. 

I realize many of you have called and emailed your Senators before on this legislation.  But, this is an important new vote they will be taking on Saturday so they need to hear from all of us again. 

Here's the good news.  Despite all their advantages - a sitting President working aggressively, big majorities in the Senate and House, a national media that largely supports this legislation - we're now to mid-November with a fighting chance of beating this health care takeover.  That's encouraging and due to the efforts of grassroots activists across the country who have done the hard work of freedom - going to town hall meetings, attending "Hands Off My Health Care" bus tour events, calling and emailing your elected leaders, getting involved in the tea party and 9/12 efforts, and so much more. 

Now, we've got to finish the job. 

I know we can do it if we keep fighting. 

What does Senator Reid's health care bill mean for patients and doctors? It means, fundamentally, a loss of control for all of us over our own health care.

by Phil Kerpen, FOXNews.com, November 19, 2009

In the fantasy-world that is Washington, D.C., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will claim today that his proposed health care legislation will actually save the country money. He'll do this with the imprimatur of Congressional Budget Office and despite the fact that his legislation creates a vast new middle-class health care entitlement that will add 15 million people to the Medicaid rolls and create a bureaucratic army to micromanage every decision made by every doctor in the United States. Reid will no doubt make his claim with a straight face and even tout the supposed deficit reduction as a benefit of the bill. Don't be fooled. It’s a farce. This bill is an enormous budget-buster and it's coming at a time when the American economy is still reeling.

Read the rest at FOX Forum.

Listen to today's KerpenCast on this subject.

Last night we were in Portland, Oregon for a special Hot Air Tour stop. We had hundreds-upon-hundreds of grassroots activists in a downtown park protesting Al Gore's (without a doubt the largest emitter of hot air in the nation) pro cap-and-trade speech. 

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

We were joined by hundreds of AFP activists, tea party allies, and 9/12 friends who came out to make their voice heard against the job killing, tax increasing cap-and-trade scheme.